Everything in this film is so perfect for cheesy horror fun because Burton and his crew took great pains to precisely capture Edward D. Wood Jr. and his band of eccentric film people. Shot in black and white and beautifully filmed, it takes you right into the time capsule of the fifties.
One scene that sticks out for me is when Ed is walking through the film lot carrying a potted plant while mambo music plays and gazing in wonder at the camels that are being used for a picture. He expresses his childlike fascination at the use of real animals and the security guard shoos him away.
The childlike belief Ed has for Bela and for his films, although most of the film society spits on him, is touching. Although Ed Wood wasn’t really respected in his time, except for by his peers, this portrayal of his life’s work is delightfully weird.
Article comments
1 - Michelle
thank you for the recommendation. i'm a big fan of tim burton, esp. because of Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice. i'd started to watch Ed Wood once, but somehow didn't get through it, but i'll try to get it again.
2 - jane ripley
Well thank you for the feedback. It's definitely worth watching all the way through because imo, it's one of Tim Burton's finest efforts.
3 - Jim Carruthers
I've been waiting for "Ed Wood" to come out on DVD for a long time (I imagine there is some really stupid reason why it hasn't been released yet -- if you want to see this on DVD, sign up at Amazon.com).
"Ed Wood" is one of my favourite Tim Burton movies and has an excellent supporting cast including Bill Murray and Vincent D'Onofrio as Orson Welles.
4 - jane ripley
It's because it's so great, people don't mind just watching the video. :D
5 - james ibbs
Thanks jane for the review;once again you prove to your loyal viewers why we keep tuning in.
I remember watching this movie some years back at one of those "williefests" we used to hang out at.
I think your review quite accurately captures the atmosphere of this movie, one which tends to defy the standardized mellieu.
I think this movie stands right up there with... well i'm not sure what...but boy is it fun to ride along with.
Thanx again
6 - jane ripley
Thanks James. I think it sits up there with "Frida" as one of my favourite bio-pics. They really took great pains to make it authentic and Martin Landau is especially brilliant.
BTW, what do you mean by "mellieu?" I don't believe that's in the dictionary. ;p